The new price tags in German supermarkets may mislead many people. Recently, German stores are exploring new horizons and paying special attention to sustainable development.
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The prices on paper sheets that are placed on the shelves will soon disappear. Aldi, Lidl, and Netto are changing the price tags. This could cause inconvenience for customers.
New price tags in German supermarkets may cause confusion
In principle, this is a very good and long-overdue idea that is now being put into practice. Traditional paper price tags will soon be a thing of the past.
The three discounters Aldi, Lidl, and Netto want to rely on digital shelf advertising in the future.
No more new paper needs to be printed, delivered, and thrown away every day. With every price change in the discounter's warehouse, paper waste accumulated. According to Thesmittel Zeitung, Netto wants the adjustment to be introduced in the first half of 2024 when numerous changes will come into effect anyway.
This innovation is considered a win-win situation for the discounters. Employees save time, and the company saves money and waste. However, customers may fall into the trap of costs and simply get confused.
The Hamburg Consumer Advisory Center is concerned about regular price adjustments on products, from which consumers rarely benefit. If hot weather is announced in the summer, the cost of water and ice cream can be instantly adjusted not in favor of consumers.
This also applies to other products. For example, if demand for rolls is particularly high on a Saturday morning, the price may quickly and inconspicuously rise by a few cents.
The Consumer Advisory Center fears 'price increases with the push of a button.' The organized association also warns of less price transparency due to digital advertising. Because of constantly changing prices, it will also be practically impossible to compare offers from different suppliers.
- This will lead to consumers no longer quickly recognizing inflated prices.
- Retailers will maximize their profit in a questionable way.
Digitization is undoubtedly environmentally friendly, but if its implementation is questionable, it can become a serious drawback for consumers.
Related topics:
With the transition to digital pricing, Life in Germany's supermarkets is undergoing significant changes. Customers may struggle to adapt as they navigate the new system, potentially leading to confusion.
The shift towards digital shelf advertising is anticipated to bring environmental benefits, such as reduced paper waste, but the potential for increased costs and less price transparency raises concerns among some consumers.
